"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It all works out in the end. Put your trust in God, I wanted to do this because I have been the girl on the sidelines for a long time, the one that sits with the baby and the stroller while everyone else goes on rides. I also wanted to teach my kids about goals and to show them that we can do things that scare us (you just take a deep breath, don't think about it, and go for it). The kids "new favorite ride" is always the one that scared them so much before they tried it. There were a lot of rides that I only went on once, and that is fine. You never know until you try. I can't wait to do it again next year!
I wish I had pictures of the table lit by candlelight, it was beautiful. And the food was fantastic.
we had a five course meal which included:
Bread (2 kinds) with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping
marinated mushrooms and cucumber
fresh mozzarella
mortadella (a meat like Bologna)
cantaloupe wrapped in prosciutto
Olives
Caprese salad
Mint and basil sorbet
Authentic Lasagna
Italian Soda
Tirimisu
Chocolate Hazelnut Gelato
ameretti cookies
Grapes
Watermelon
Strawberries with Balsamic vinegar
Sixteen people came and everyone brought something amazing. (Thanks bookclubies for making this night so much fun)
Here are a few quotes from Frances Mayes:
Where you are is who you are. The further inside you that place moves, the more your identity is intertwined with it. Pg 86
Quoting Bachelard “ Mainly, I remember recognizing his idea that the house protects the dreamer; the houses that are important are the ones that allow us to dream in peace
It is easy for foreigners to romanticize, stereotype and over simplify local people…one a person is really known of course, the characterization blessedly fades..
One of those flash epiphanies of travel, the realization that worlds you’d love vibrantly exist outside your ignorance of them. The vitality of many lives you knew nothing about. The breeze lifting a blue curtain in a doorway billows just the same whether you are lucky enough to observe it or not. Travel gives such jolts. I could live in this town, so how is it that I’ve never been here before today?
These are computer drawings using basic shapes
Add a beautiful pool in the most beautiful backyard and you have a recipe for a perfect day.
Now add a touch of COOLNESS
Do a little stirring...
Drive up big cottonwood canyon about 9 miles. Turn right at the Jordan Pines picnic area. The road is paved most of the way but runs through private property. There is a sign for doughnut falls but you can't see it until AFTER you turn off the main road.
